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The Mighty Deerstalker 2009. Entries Open.

Heaven’s above! It’s back – with more bare-faced cheek than a Playboy Bunny, the most ridiculous event of them all returns with vengeance on 21st March 2009 at glorious Traquair House, near Peebles. In the crisp, quiet darkness of the Scottish winter something is stirring…it’s the MIGHTY DEERSTALKER.

If you have already taken part, you know the drill. Tweed, mud, japes, obstacles, impossibly steep mountain, forests, river crossings, feats of incredible daring-do and afterwards…a healthy dollop of oblivion partying to boot. If you are a rookie and have heard of the legend of the Mighty Deerstalker, now’s the time to grow antlers and front up to the big, bad and just-a-little-bit-surreal trail run with bite.

1.) Early Bird Entry Offer
2.) Deerstalker format info
3.) BEERstalker
4.) Bambino’s Deerstalker – have your say

1.) Early Bird Entry Offer
This event SOLD OUT last year. Get in on the action early and get entered in 08. Not only will you secure your place in the annals of Deerstalker history, you will save £££s on the gig too. Early bird prices run until 01st Jan 09 and you can enter here. For the 5km event, it’s £12.50 per runner on the Early Bird offer (regular price £19). For the MIGHTY Deerstalker, it’s £19 Early Bird (regular price £29).

2.) Deerstalker info – format, camping, fancy dress

The format is the same as last year – 2 runs – one at 5km (ish) and one at 10km (very much optimistic estimate and not really close). For the full bhuna, log onto www.themightydeerstalker.com and savour the flavour of this superlatively wacky event. We will be based again back at Traquair house with the 5km taking place in the mid afternoon and the 10km MIGHTY event going from daylight through dusk into darkness, requiring a decent head-torch. You will cross rivers, ascend a mountain, battle through dense forests and come face to face with obstacles strewn in your way – such as the “Deershore” human trials course in the woods. This year, we are adding to the embarrassment with an arena-style assault course being set up just before the finish line too. Your spectators will laugh and you will weep as you commit to these obstacles before raising your Tweed cap in pride crossing the finish. Then it’s straight to the bar…

Needless to say, the party is back; more on that below. The camp-site is open again and we continue to be impressed by the numbers of you braving the Scottish weather and camping with us. It’s a great atmosphere and you are welcome back in your hoards to camp at the event village for free.

Fancy dress is naturally de rigeur. There has been some absolutely outstanding outfits gracing the start line in 07 and 08 and we hope you will be able to continue this Deerstalker tradition. There are prizes for the best outfits and if you are thinking plus fours, Deerstalker cap, full cravat-and-sports-jacket ensemble, pipe and monocle, you will not be alone. You don’t have to dress up, but if you don’t, you might feel a bit left out!

3.) BEERstalker

Some say the Deerstalker is only the warm up act for a much more intimidating, gruelling and epic event. The BEERSTALKER – the official post-race party. Deerstalker is as much party as it is run. Those of you who were at the 2008 gig will almost certainly not remember it; if you do remember it, a broad grin will almost certainly rise on your face. It was a party of quite literally gargantuan proportions. The band played, beer was spilt. This year it gets better. More beer, more music and prizes for the best dressed of course. Get to the bar and warm your cockles with a delicious pint of Deerstalker ale and enjoy the amazing marquee atmosphere of this very special post-race bash.

We have had considerable interest from bands wanting to play the Deerstalker party tent. This year we are extending the live music programme and if you are in a band who wants to play this gig, let us know and send us a demo. Email interest in the first instance to info@themightydeerstalker.com. It could be your big break – or it could just be a massive opportunity to play a totally up-for-it crowd and have a few quality ales yourself.

4.) Bambino’s Deerstalker – have your say

We have had some requests for a kids’ event to run during the daytime at the event village, before the main races. Let us know if you want it – if you have family and would like to bring them along in the daytime to cheer you on, then maybe you have kids who would like a go themselves. We are talking here about an event for very young kids and teenagers too – a Bambinostalker; a few obstacles, a nice loop of running and some pretty forest trails. Email us your thoughts to info@themightydeerstalker.com and we’ll gauge interest and make a decision on this soon.

So, that’s it for now. 21st March. Enter now and save £££s. Get fit, train well and ensure your outfit is up to scratch. This event has achieved cult status and sold out last year. Make sure you are on the start line with 1000 others for the most surreal running event on the calendar!

Yours in Tweed,

The Laird and his Ghyllies

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